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Garcetti skeptical about Greuel budget proposals

Mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti expressed skepticism Wednesday over rival Wendy Greuel’s proposal to cut the budget of both the City Council and the mayor by 25 percent. But he said that he is open to reducing staff in the mayor’s office.

Garcetti also called Controller Greuel’s two budget proposals “a drop in the bucket” when it comes to helping the city’s finances.

“We have to be looking at pension reform, healthcare reform, those things that really give us bang for the buck,” said Garcetti said, speaking at a community clinic in Echo Park. “And most importantly, growing the economy. I think that’s really the long-term path to making sure we don’t have any more budget deficits.”

In the first major policy speech of her campaign, Greuel on Tuesday proposed cutting the budgets of those two departments. As City Controller, Greuel has stated she has a strong understanding of the city’s budget and finances.

Her proposals were part of a handful of initiatives outlined in Greuel’s speech, delivered at the University of California, Los Angeles in Westwood.

“As the City’s Watchdog, I know first hand that there are layers of government–of bureaucracy–that are not necessary,” Greuel’s speech read, according to prepared remarks.

Repeating a position he took earlier this year, Garcetti said Wednesday he supports reducing the number of staffers in the mayor’s office. He also wants more mayoral staff working field offices throughout Los Angeles, rather than City Hall.

Peter Sanders, Villaraigosa spokesman, said there are about 85 people working in the mayor’s office.

Garcetti didn’t say whether he supports cutting the mayor’s office budget by 25 percent, but he voiced concern over reducing the City Council budget, saying there have already been cuts.

In 2007, the City Council budget was $27 million, according to figures provided by the city.

This budget year, the City Council’s budget is $18 million. That figure covers all 15 city council offices and the Chief Legislative Analyst’s Office.

“There are critical services that city council staff provide,” Garcetti said.

Greuel told reporters Tuesday she intends to expand on her budget proposals in the weeks ahead, according to audio of the event. She called her initiatives “a flavor” of what will come.